Core gripping and release device

ABSTRACT

An expandible and contractable device for mounting on a driven shaft of a paper or like handling machine for drivingly engaging the core of a reel of paper and comprising a one-piece cylindrical body part for fixing to said shaft and formed externally with eccentrics, and an outer cylindrical part consisting of trough-like parts having internal eccentrics which combine with those of the body part.

I United States Patent [151 3,667,696 McCarthy June 6, 1972 [54] CORE GRIPPING AND RELEASE [561 References Cited DEVICE UNITED STATES PATENTS [72] inventor: Reginald J- M Ca hy, London, England 3,419,227 12/1968 Werkmeister ..242/72 1 115,057 10/1914 Delane [73] Assignee: Frank F. Pershke Limited, Surrey, En- 231,212 1/1966 Blakejm gland 2,765,125 10/1956 Schlesinger ..242/72 [22] Filed: Apr. 22, 1970 Primary Examiner-George F. Mautz [2]] Appl. No.: 30,918 Assistant Examiner-Edward J. McCarthy Att0rneyEmory L. Grofi and Emory L. Groff, J r.

[30] Foreign Application Priority Data [57] ABSTRACT Apr. 24, 1969 Great Britain ..20,999/69 An expandible and contractable device f mounting on a driven shaft of a paper or like handling machine for drivingly [52] U.S. Cl ..242/72, 279/6 engaging the core of a reel of paper and comprising a one- [51 Int. Cl ..B65h 75/24 piece cylindrical body part for fixing to said shaft and formed [58] Field of Search ..242/72; 279 2, 6 externally with and an outer cylindrical P sisting of trough-like parts having internal eccentrics which combine with those of the body part.

3 Claims, 8 Drawing figures PATENTEBJUH 6 m2 3, 667. 696 SHEET 2 OF 6 Illllllllllllfllllllllllllll Pea/mm J. Ma (ART/W By 4W} PATENTED 6 I 2 3.661596 SHEET 30F 6 PATENTEDJUN 61972 3,667,696

SHEET HJF 6 fee/MALI) J W74 Gwen/y CORE GRIPPING AND RELEASE DEVICE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to a core gripping and release device for use on machines for handling reels of paper or like material, for example flexible synthetic plastic material, in web form, such as slitting machines, rotary printing machines and the like where it is required to secure the core of a reel (usually of cardboard) to a shaft or spindle so that said core and therefore the reel is rotated by the spindle, the core subsequently being released by the device to enable it to be removed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION According to the present invention there is provided a core gripping and release device for the purpose set forth above, which comprises a cylindrical body part for mounting on a driven machine shaft, said body part being formed externally with pairs of circumferential eccentrics with the eccentrics of each pair spaced apart axially of said body part, said eccentrics being engaged by complementary eccentrics formed on the inner faces of trough-like segments which combine to form an outer cylinder divided axially or longitudinally and retained by resilient means about said body part, the inner face of each said segment being so shaped internally that it bridges and clears the eccentrics on the body part engaged by eccentrics on the remaining segments, the arrangement being such that the segments forming said outer cylinder can expand outwardly radially to a maximum throw position in unison to grip the inner cylindrical face of the core of a reel and transmit a drive thereto from said shaft by way of the body part, and can subsequently be caused to contract radially inwardly to a minimum throw position in which they release said core.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a schematic view showing the body part engaged by one segment of the outer cylinder and showing the remaining two segments thereabove with their eccentrics aligned with complementary eccentrics on the body part with which they engage when the segments are combined to form a cylinder.

FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic end view showing the disposition of the eccentrics and synchronizing pins in synchronizing rings referred to in detail in the following description.

FIG. 3 is an elevation of the assembled device drawn to a smaller scale.

FIGS. 4 and 5 are sectional and end views respectively of a modification.

FIGS. 6 and 7 are similar views of a further modification, and

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary view illustrating a still further modification.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring firstly to FIGS. 1 to 3 of said drawings, the core gripping and release device illustrated comprises a body part 1 adapted to be fixedly secured to a shaft (not shown) so as to rotate with the latter. This body part 1 is formed with pairs of eccentrics A, B and C with the eccentrics of each pair spaced apart axially of the device, that is one eccentric A being axially spaced from the other eccentric A of the pair, and with the eccentrics BB, C-C likewise arranged. The pairs of eccentrics in maximum throw positions are also displaced circumferentially to one another, for example 120 in cases where three pairs of eccentrics are provided as indicated in FIG. 2, and are struck from centers A2, B2 and C2.

This body part 1 is enclosed or surrounded by three troughlike segments 2, 3 and 4 which combine and form what can be regarded as an outer cylinder having knurled or serrated outer faces 2a, 3a and 44 respectively, which make frictional contact with the inner cylindrical face of a core when said sections are radially expanded as later described. Each of these three trough-like segments is shaped internally so that they comprise respectively internal pairs of ribs A1, B1 and Cl. which rest upon and bridge the complementary pairs of eccentrics A, B and Con said body part 1.

The said trough-like segments 2, 3 and 4 are located equally apart circumferentially at their ends by synchronizing rings 5 which engage in recesses 6 in the ends of said segments, and each ring 5 makes contact with the engaged segment in a position 5a which limits outward movement of the segment due to centrifugal force.

The said trough-like segments are retained in position around the body part 1 by resilient C-shape rings or bands 7 which engage in circumferentially aligned grooves 8 in the outer faces of said segments.

The synchronizing rings 5 are held in position on the end of the body part 1 by means of ends caps 9 which are a press fit on reduced diameter parts la of the body 1 and secured against turning by a locking screw (not shown).

Each end cap 9 is fitted with a stationary stop pin 10 which is engaged by one end of a pin 11 which can turn through an arcuate path with an adjacent synchronizing ring by which it is carried, the other end 11a of said pin 11 co-acting with an end of the segment 2, the arrangement being such that said stop pin 10 arrests movement of the segments when they are moved radially inwardly to coincide with minimum of throw when they are in a core-release position and so preventing the segments passing said position and expanding radially outwardly again in an uncontrollable manner. Thus, each synchronizing ring 5 is fitted with three circumferentially equally spaced apart pins 11 which engage respectively with the three segments 2, 3 and 4, to expand and contract the latter in synchronism, and a single stop pin 10 is provided on each end cap 9 constituting a fourth pin at each end of the device which does not co-act with a segment but extends inwardly into a recess 5b in the synchronizing ring 5 to form an abutment which is engaged by and co-acts with an end 11a of one of the pins 1 1.

The said trough-like segments 2, 3 and 4 are machined internally in such a manner that when each mating part of a segment is in a lowest position of eccentricity the cut-outs between the ribs A1, B1 and C] will clear the remaining eccentrics of the body part 1. More than three segments may be provided if so desired.

As well as being fixed to a shaft, the device may be driven by clutch members mounted on the shaft so that more than one device is on the same shaft, the clutch members allowing equal tensions into the rewinding reels.

Referring next to the modification illustrated by FIGS. 4 and 5, the device comprises a body part 20 supported by end caps 21 fitted with bushes 22 by means of which the device is mounted on a shaft (not shown), so as to rotate with the latter. This body part is formed externally with pairs of eccentrics D, E and F (arranged similarly to those of the previous embodiment), with which co-act ribs D1, El and F1 formed internally of segments 23, 24 and 25, which are embraced at each end of the device by circular springs 26 of any suitable cross section located within peripheral flanges 21a of the end caps 21, so as to leave small gaps 27 sufficient to allow maximum radial opening to the segments 23, 24 and 25. With this embodiment synchronizing rings 28 are housed between the body part 20 and said segments 23, 24 and 25, and are fitted with pins 29 (equivalent to the pins 11 of the first embodiment) and one of which co-acts with a single stop pin 30 fitted in a circumferential recess into which said pins 29 extend, and which serves to arrest movement of the segments when they are moved radially inwardly to coincide with a minimum throw when they are in a core release position.

FIGS. 6 and 7 illustrate a modification similar to that already described with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5. In this case segments 31, 32 and 33 are of channel cross section, as clearly shown in FIG. 6, and are held against a body part 34 by means of springy rings 35 of solid and circular or flat cross section, the rings engaging in outwardly directed trough-like parts of said segments. The said body part 34 is supported by end caps 36 fitted with bushes 37 by means of which the device is mounted on a shaft, so as to rotate with the latter.

This body part 34 is formed externally with pairs of eccentrics G, H and I arranged similarly to those of the previous embodiment, and which co-act with ribs G1 and H1 on the segments 31 and 32 and a rib (not visible) on the segment 33. In this embodiment the synchronizing ring is indicated at 38 and is fitted with pins 39 similar to the pins 11 of the first embodiment, and the body part 34 is formed with a circumferentially grooved portion 40 in which is fitted a single stop pin 41 which is engaged by one of the pins 39 to arrest movement of the segments when they are moved radially inwardly to coincide with a minimum of throw when they are in a core release position.

Referring lastly to the embodiment illustrated by FIG. 8, this is similar to the previously described embodiments except that in this case the body part indicated at 42 is fitted with a drive ring 43 formed with dogs 44 which engage in recesses 45 in the ends of the segments to expand and contract the latter. Such a construction eliminates the use of pins on the synchronizing rings and results in a compact arrangement of parts suitable for use with cores of minimum inside diameter, i.e. cores of approximately 2% inches inside diameter. The drive rings 43 are locked on the body part 42 by end rings 46.

The constructions illustrated by FIGS. 4 to 7 have the advantage that the outer faces of the segments do not have to be recessed for the reception of springy rings for retaining the segments on the body part, thus enabling a greater area of the outer faces of the segments to be knurled to provide an adequate core gripping surface.

It is to be appreciated that with the constructions of all the described embodiments the expansion of the segments is bidirectional, i.e. the device is usable or opens in both directions, depending upon the position of the travelling stop pin relatively to the fixed stop.

I claim:

1. A core gripping and release device for the purpose set forth comprising a cylindrical body part for mounting on a driven machine shaft, said body part including a plurality of pairs of circumferentially extending eccentrics on the outer surface thereof, the eccentrics of each pair spaced apart from each other axially of said body part, a plurality of trough-like segments surrounding said body part to provide an outer axially divided cylinder, each said segment including a pair of eccentrics on the inner face thereof complementary to a related spaced apart pair of eccentrics on said body part, resilient means retaining said segments around said body part, the eccentrics on the inner face of each said segment engaging a related pair of eccentrics on said body part and bridging the unrelated pairs of eccentrics on said body part which are engaged by the eccentrics of the other segments, a synchronizing ring mounted on each end of said body part, pins carried by each of said rings, the ends of said pins projecting outwardly beyond the opposite faces of said rings, one end of each of said pins engaging an adjacent segment to expand said segments radially outwardly to a maximum throw position in unison to grip the inner cylindrical face of the core of a reel and transmit a drive thereto from said shaft by way of said body part and contract said segments radially inwardly to a minimum throw position in which they release said core.

2. A device as claimed in claim 1 including fixed stop pins mounted on said body part, the other end of said ringmounted pins engaging said fixed stop pins to arrest movement of the segments when they are contracted and moved radially inwardly to coincide with minimum of throw when they are in a core release position.

3. A core gripping and release device for the purpose set forth comprising a cylindrical body part for mounting on a driven machine shaft, said body part including a plurality of pairs of circurnferentially extending eccentrics on the outer surface thereof, the eccentrics of each pair spaced apart from each other axially of said body part, a plurality of trough-like segments surrounding said body part to provide an outer axially d ivided cylinder, each said se ment including a pair of eccentrics on the inner face thereo complementary to a related spaced apart pair of eccentrics on said body part, resilient means retaining said segments around said body part, the eccentrics on the inner face of each said segment engaging a related pair of eccentrics on said body part and bridging the unrelated pairs of eccentrics on said body part which are engaged by the eccentrics of the other segments, a synchronizing ring mounted on each end of said body part, said segments having recesses in the ends thereof, a drive ring fitted on each end of said body part, a plurality of dogs on said drive ring, said dogs engaging in said recesses to expand said segments radially outwardly to a maximum throw position in unison to grip the inner cylindrical face of the core of a reel and transmit a drive thereto from said shaft by way of said body part, and contract said segments radially inwardly to a minimum throw position in which they release said core. 

1. A core gripping and release device for the purpose set forth comprising a cylindrical body part for mounting on a driven machine shaft, said body part including a plurality of pairs of circumferentially extending eccentrics on the outer surface thereof, the eccentrics of each pair spaced apart from each other axially of said body part, a plurality of trough-like segments surrounding said body part to provide an outer axially divided cylinder, each said segment including a pair of eccentrics on the inner face thereof complementary to a related spaced apart pair of eccentrics on said body part, resilient means retaining said segments around said body part, the eccentrics on the inner face of each said segment engaging a related pair of eccentrics on said body part and bridging the unrelated pairs of eccentrics on said body part which are engaged by the eccentrics of the other segments, a synchronizing ring mounted on each end of said body part, pins carried by each of said rings, the enDs of said pins projecting outwardly beyond the opposite faces of said rings, one end of each of said pins engaging an adjacent segment to expand said segments radially outwardly to a maximum throw position in unison to grip the inner cylindrical face of the core of a reel and transmit a drive thereto from said shaft by way of said body part and contract said segments radially inwardly to a minimum throw position in which they release said core.
 2. A device as claimed in claim 1 including fixed stop pins mounted on said body part, the other end of said ring-mounted pins engaging said fixed stop pins to arrest movement of the segments when they are contracted and moved radially inwardly to coincide with minimum of throw when they are in a core release position.
 3. A core gripping and release device for the purpose set forth comprising a cylindrical body part for mounting on a driven machine shaft, said body part including a plurality of pairs of circumferentially extending eccentrics on the outer surface thereof, the eccentrics of each pair spaced apart from each other axially of said body part, a plurality of trough-like segments surrounding said body part to provide an outer axially divided cylinder, each said segment including a pair of eccentrics on the inner face thereof complementary to a related spaced apart pair of eccentrics on said body part, resilient means retaining said segments around said body part, the eccentrics on the inner face of each said segment engaging a related pair of eccentrics on said body part and bridging the unrelated pairs of eccentrics on said body part which are engaged by the eccentrics of the other segments, a synchronizing ring mounted on each end of said body part, said segments having recesses in the ends thereof, a drive ring fitted on each end of said body part, a plurality of dogs on said drive ring, said dogs engaging in said recesses to expand said segments radially outwardly to a maximum throw position in unison to grip the inner cylindrical face of the core of a reel and transmit a drive thereto from said shaft by way of said body part, and contract said segments radially inwardly to a minimum throw position in which they release said core. 